“Then why are you looking at properties in the Atlanta area? Are you moving out?”
His face went blank, and she immediately sensed his confusion. His expression changed to shock, and his eyes widened as if in realization of something.
Okay, that’s definitely not the response I expected from him.
“Moving out?” he asked. “Why would I move out? Are you wanting me to move?”
“What?” she retorted. “No, of course not. But I got a call for you from a realtor late this afternoon...”
His pale blue eyes reflected immediate understanding, and he welcomed the feeling of relief that settled over him.
“Oh, you mean Tammy Mendez,” he said. “A fellow professor recommended Tammy after buying a new home and selling his old one through her office. And her assistance isn’t for me. I’m just helping scope out a place for Paige to move into, that’s all.”
“A place for Paige?” she blankly asked.
A split-second later, a sense of embarrassment began to form as she registered the nature of his endeavors. Paige Turner, a young vampire that Katrina counted as one of her dearest friends, had promised to relocate from Los Angeles to the Atlanta area later in the summer. Paige was also Caleb’s surrogate vampire, a designated protector for him who would take care of him if anything ever happened to her.
“So, you thought I wanted to move out?” he queried with a suspicious expression. “Kat, that’s crazy! I love you, and I’ve never been happier living at the estate.”
She had only convinced him to move in with her the past December after they confronted the dangers presented to them by a rogue vampire named Chimalma. Since then, he had enjoyed the increased time with her. He also appreciated how much their relationship had strengthened.
She pulled him to her and enveloped him in a warm embrace, heedless to the sense of foolishness that she felt. She was just so relieved that the entire affair had been merely an unfortunate misunderstanding.
I’m so paranoid, she chastised.
Caleb appreciated the closeness of her body, and his arms wound around her slim waist in response. While no longer bewildered by her behavior, he felt bad that his helpful efforts for Paige had caused her to misinterpret the situation.
“Sorry, Kat. I should’ve mentioned it already, but my mind’s been so preoccupied with so many diversions this week.”
She rested her chin on his shoulder, and her eyes narrowed to slits. “Yes, you should have mentioned it, I think. But I suppose I’ll forgive you,” she conceded. “This time.”
“Paige texted me a few days ago to ask for my help. And honestly, I didn’t expect the realtor to get back with me so quickly. I explained to her that, with Paige taking that security contract job overseas, there’s all summer to scope out prospects.”
“Except that you might be in Slovenia with me part of the summer,” she reminded him.
He patted her lightly at the small of her back and whispered, “Well, sure, there’s always Slovenia. I hope that we’re able to go.”
He paused for a quiet moment before adding, “But since you mentioned the couch...”
“One issue at a time, my love,” she gently cautioned him.
“Oh, sure,” he conceded before changing the subject entirely. “So then, aside from being surprised by realtors, what else did you do today?”
“I baked a chocolate cake for you,” she offered as she parted from their embrace. She hoped that it had turned out okay.
He’ll probably like the frosting, at least, she anticipated.
“I really lucked out then,” he said with a delighted expression. “Chocolate’s my favorite.”
Luck is right. You actually get to eat it instead of being smothered by it, she contemplated, though with a vastly improved mood.
Later that evening, while consuming a sizable slice of the cake, Caleb called Paige to discuss some of the available properties the realtor had recommended. The perky vampire listened to the variety of options and locations that he described and agreed to investigate at least six prospects.
“Whatcha think, kiddo?” Paige asked after he finished highlighting the interesting ones.
“Well, the market’s pretty slow here,” he admitted while switching the phone to his other hand. “It’s probably good odds that the homes may still be on the market by summer’s end.”
While refilling a glass of water for him, Katrina listened with interest to the conversation, including Paige’s end of the chat. It wasn’t as if she were eavesdropping, really. Had her mate desired privacy he shouldn’t have sat in the kitchen, or at least should have made the